1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
"According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
In 1942, during the some of the darkest days of WW2 in the Pacific, President Roosevelt ordered General Douglas McArthur to retreat from the Philippine islands before the troops surrendered to the invading Japanese forces. McArthur was not at all happy with this order, and so as he left he uttered perhaps the most famous words of the war – “I shall return.”
History tells us General McArthur did return in 1944 to lead a series of brilliant victories that turned the tide of the war.
Notice a couple of things scripture says about Jesus’ second coming.
First: Jesus’ return will be physical.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven …”
Just as General McArthur didn’t send a memo or a photograph of himself to inspire the troops, but returned in person to lead the battle, the return of Jesus is not some kind of metaphorical idea intended to inspire. His return will be real; he, himself, will return from heaven!
Second: the return of Jesus will be both visible and public.
There is a small but very important word in this passage from 1 Thessalonians; a word so common in our language that we can miss its significance altogether.
The word in English is “come.” But the greek word Paul uses here is parousia, and this word had a very specific meaning in the culture and history of the time.
The word parousia referred to the glorious coming of a deity or the official visit of a sovereign ruler – a king or an emperor to a city.
An imperial visit was always a big deal – accompanied by awestruck crowds of common people, by pomp and majesty, banquets, music and sacrifices. A parousia was a magnificent celebration that was quite possibly a once in a lifetime event.
Imagine an inaugural parade in Washington, only bigger!
Imagine a royal wedding in London, only bigger!
Imagine the parade that would take place in Chicago if the Cubs ever won a World Series! Nothing could be bigger than that! But the parousia Paul is talking about dwarfs everything that has come before!
People of the day would have immediately known what Paul was saying! This parousia will be more glorious, more magnificent, more overwhelming than any parousia you have ever witnessed because this king, this ruler is not just a human emperor, but the sovereign Creator of the universe, the Lord of history, the Redeemer of all things!
And when he comes, he will come with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God – you can’t miss it!
I also noticed one more word in this text. Paul says we should encourage each other with these words. That’s an interesting word to use when you are talking about the end of the world as we know it! Why would he use that word?
Remember that the early Christians who were reading Paul’s letters were starting to face both persecution and death. Some of them had believed that Jesus would return within their lifetime, and they were probably beginning to wonder what was happening. So God gives Paul this powerful word of hope to pass on to his people. The message is simply this: “I know you are suffering; I know some have already died; but hang on, I am coming soon!”
As followers of Jesus, we are to take great comfort in knowing that this earthly life, while a precious gift, is only temporary. Jesus wants us to know that we were created for an eternity with him and that on the day of his coming – his parousia – we will know the joy and glory of his own presence!
Therefore, encourage each other with these words!
Pastor Brian Coffey
Notice a couple of things scripture says about Jesus’ second coming.
First: Jesus’ return will be physical.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven …”
Just as General McArthur didn’t send a memo or a photograph of himself to inspire the troops, but returned in person to lead the battle, the return of Jesus is not some kind of metaphorical idea intended to inspire. His return will be real; he, himself, will return from heaven!
Second: the return of Jesus will be both visible and public.
There is a small but very important word in this passage from 1 Thessalonians; a word so common in our language that we can miss its significance altogether.
The word in English is “come.” But the greek word Paul uses here is parousia, and this word had a very specific meaning in the culture and history of the time.
The word parousia referred to the glorious coming of a deity or the official visit of a sovereign ruler – a king or an emperor to a city.
An imperial visit was always a big deal – accompanied by awestruck crowds of common people, by pomp and majesty, banquets, music and sacrifices. A parousia was a magnificent celebration that was quite possibly a once in a lifetime event.
Imagine an inaugural parade in Washington, only bigger!
Imagine a royal wedding in London, only bigger!
Imagine the parade that would take place in Chicago if the Cubs ever won a World Series! Nothing could be bigger than that! But the parousia Paul is talking about dwarfs everything that has come before!
People of the day would have immediately known what Paul was saying! This parousia will be more glorious, more magnificent, more overwhelming than any parousia you have ever witnessed because this king, this ruler is not just a human emperor, but the sovereign Creator of the universe, the Lord of history, the Redeemer of all things!
And when he comes, he will come with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God – you can’t miss it!
I also noticed one more word in this text. Paul says we should encourage each other with these words. That’s an interesting word to use when you are talking about the end of the world as we know it! Why would he use that word?
Remember that the early Christians who were reading Paul’s letters were starting to face both persecution and death. Some of them had believed that Jesus would return within their lifetime, and they were probably beginning to wonder what was happening. So God gives Paul this powerful word of hope to pass on to his people. The message is simply this: “I know you are suffering; I know some have already died; but hang on, I am coming soon!”
As followers of Jesus, we are to take great comfort in knowing that this earthly life, while a precious gift, is only temporary. Jesus wants us to know that we were created for an eternity with him and that on the day of his coming – his parousia – we will know the joy and glory of his own presence!
Therefore, encourage each other with these words!
Pastor Brian Coffey
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2 comments:
"Today could be the day!"
I just wanted to say that I had just read a facebook comment that a friend of mine from high school passed away at age 50 when I logged into my Ten Minutes with God. When I read the verse, it was so perfect. I immediately posted it on facebook to encourage his friends and family. What perfect timing!
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